2008 International Goan Convention – Toronto
Convention makes News

JULY 23-27 Goan International Convention
http://www.thestar.com/DesiLife/article/457357

An ideal opportunity for Goans all over the world to renew social contacts, and for visitors to experience authentic Goan culture, music, cuisine and art. The theme is G.I.A.N.T. — Goan Identity And Networking Today. University of Toronto, Mississauga, 3359 Mississauga Rd., Mississauga. 2008goanconvention.com

Toronto: Jr Menezes’ Widely Acclaimed Tiatr ‘Adeus’ at LAC on Jul 25
Daijiworld.com - Mangalore,India

Toronto, Jul 15: Widely acclaimed tiatr, "Adeus" performed by the Goan Konkani troupe and written and directed by Jr Menezes will be held on Friday July 25 ...
Click here to see all stories on this topic

Hon. Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs, (Cabinet Minister rank) Government of Goa, India to open Convention, and attend a “Meet & Greet – Click for details

For updates see: http://2008goanconvention.blogspot.com/

Convention Events

See also Events Section for Convention Program

How to get to the University of Toronto for Convention Workshops
http://www.utm.utoronto.ca/index.php?id=8709

Aerial View of UTM
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/download.php

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http:%2F%2Fbbs.keyhole.com%2Fubb%2Fdownload.php

Adeus Tiatr - A Treat For Konkani Lovers And Their Friends
http://2008goanconvention.blogspot.com/ 
By: Dr. Kevin Saldanha

Click for Flyer

Please come out and enjoy the final benefit encore production of the widely acclaimed tiatr, "Adeus" performed by the Goan Konkani Troup and written & directed by Jr. Menezes. The diminutive stature of this versatile gentleman belies his technical and theatrical skills which are being put to the mettle in the magnificent Hammerson Hall of the prestigious Living Arts Centre in Mississauga. Together with his cast and crew, led by the creative mastercraft genius of A.C. Pereira, you will be totally immersed in the play.

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Goan Book Fest at 2008 International Goan Convention
will include Book Launches & Readings

A poet and cartoonist from Goa will join Canadian Goan author Ben Antao in launching their new works at the 2008 International Goan Convention to be held at the University of Toronto's Mississauga campus on July 23-26. Marinella Proenca of Calangute will launch and read from her newly published book of poems Heart Beat.

Alexyz Fernandes, popular cartoonist from Siolim, will exhibit a large selection of his cartoons and caricatures. In addition, he'll launch his new book Goa, Goan, Goaing, Gone? and speak at the book launch on Thursday, July 24.  Ben Antao, journalist and novelist, will read from his new novel Living on the Market and launch his travelogue The lands of Sicily (Le terre di Sicilia).

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Goan Seniors publish Konkani Primer for Convention

Konkani for Everyone is a 50 page booklet intended as a primer on Konkani & Goan Culture. The book contains chapters on:

• Basic Konkani Phrases
• Common Expressions
• Konkani Hymns
• Konkani Proverbs
• The Folksongs of Goa
• Popular Konkani Songs
• Books for further Konkani Study

A copy of the booklet will be issued to all those registered for the Konkani Worshop.

The booklet is becoming popular for introducing the next generation to “Amche Bas”.
See article on Book Fest for obtaining copies.

Free For Fulltime Adult 2008 Goan Convention Delegates!!!
Trip to Casino Niagara (Fallsview), Niagara

Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008
Fare: $ 15.00 per Head (includes cost of Belinda's tasty snacks/Massala Tea/Water/driver's tip)
Incentive: Free Buffet at the Casino (Subject to carrying an Photo ID and being over 19 years. If you do not have an ID on you, then you will be charged $25/- as Fare and you will not get the Buffet coupon as per Casino rules.

Reporting/Departure time: a) 8.00 am. at 5850 Rivergrove, Our Lady of Good Voyage Elementary School, Intersection of Rivergrove ave and Highbrook, Mississauga (Free Parking)

b) University of Toronto Campus at 8.30 am Expected time of return : 4.30 pm.

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Message from the Editor, Ekvott!
Message from Ben Antao

On behalf of the 2008 International Goan Convention committee, allow me to welcome you to the beautiful City of Toronto.

It’s been twenty years since we had an international Goan convention in Toronto and, as one who was involved in that first convention in 1988, I am gratified that Goans continue to celebrate their unique identity all over the globe.

Like the proverbial wandering Jew, it seems that Goans are destined to live out their lives in the widespread global diaspora. But no matter where we choose to live and work, our identity will not forsake us. And so this convention’s theme dwells on Goan Identity and Networking Today, whose acronym GIANT really sums up our aspirations for today and tomorrow.

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Pope Issues Tough Warning Over Pop Culture, Environment
"Something Is Amiss" In Modern Society
July 17, 2008 - 9:04PM

Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday warned Catholics of the perils of pop culture and pillaging the earth's resources after a rapturous welcome at the world's biggest Christian festival in Australia.

Excerpts from:
http://news.theage.com.au/world/pope-issues-tough-warning-over-pop-culture

Speaking against the spectacular backdrop of Sydney's famous harbour, the pontiff told hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in Australia's biggest and trendiest city that "something is amiss" in modern society. "Our world has grown weary of greed, exploitation and division, of the tedium of false idols and piecemeal responses, and the pain of false promises," the pope said after a welcoming ceremony by Aborigines in tribal paint.

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Indian inflation approaches 12%
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/business/7502087.stm

Wholesale prices in India grew by 11.89% in the year to the end of June, the fastest rate since the measure began in 1995.

Inflation has tripled over the last six months, driven by the soaring cost of food and fuel. Figures also showed that the output of India's factories grew by its slowest rate in six years. Industrial output rose 3.8% in May, compared to the same month in 2007, a sharp drop on the April's 6.2% growth.

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Nuclear Energy An Inevitable Option For India
Press Trust of India / Bangalore July 9, 2008, 19:10 IST

Nuclear energy is an "inevitable option" for India as the country's capacity to produce nuclear power could be up to as high as 2,00,000 Mw by the year 2050 with the addition of more fast breeder reactors, a top government official has said.

Nuclear power currently accounts for around 4,000 Mw of the total 1,40,000 Mw installed electricity generating capacity in the country excluding captive power plants, said Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India. "The country's main thrust would be coal-based power in the next 20 years," he said. Installed capacity of nuclear energy is projected to go up to 20,000 Mw by the year 2020, Chidambaram told a China-India-US science, technology and innovation workshop here last night.

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90% Med Grads Skip Rural Stint
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Mumbai/

MUMBAI: The list of medical graduates who passed out of the Grant Medical College attached to JJ Hospital at Byculla in 2007-'08 says the whole story: only three of the 109 students took up the mandatory government service. The rest paid Rs 1 lakh to break the state government's bond that requires them to put in a year's work in healthcare facilities in the state's hinterland.

The story is not unique to JJ Hospital. It's being played out in the state's 13 other government-run medical colleges as well, reveals data collected by the Youth For Equality under the Right To Information (RTI) Act.

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Work-Life Balance Biggest Concern For Indians: Survey
http://www.zeenews.com/print_articles.asp?aid=453841&sid=NAT

Excerpt:
New Delhi, July 07: The financial turmoil and slowdown might be worrisome globally but Indians consider maintaining a balance between work and life as their biggest concern than the economy, a survey shows. According to a study conducted by global information and media firm Nielsen Company, about 20 per cent of the Indians feel that balancing work and life is their utmost concern while only 13 per cent are worried about the economy.

"... Better opportunities along with good pay package, growth prospects, brings in a long work schedule leaving individuals with very little time to balance their work and life."

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Indian businesses create 19,000 new jobs in Britain in past 12 months
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/
13 Jul, 2008, 1142 hrs IST, IANS

CHENNAI: Indian businesses have created at least 19,000 new jobs in Britain in the past 12 months and helped save some 14,000 existing ones, British Deputy High Commissioner Mike Connor says.

The 14,000 jobs saved were at the ailing Jaguar and Land Rover unit that Tata Motors acquired in Britain earlier this year, Connor told IANS in a chat here. At the existing basic wage rate of six pounds ($11.9 or Rs.510) an hour for eight hours a day, these jobs translate into a minimum contribution of 530 million pounds ($1.05 billion or Rs.45 billion) a month to Britain's economy. Annually, it works out to 12 billion pounds ($23.8 billion or Rs.1.02 trillion).

Goa Gets A New Governor
NEW DELH (PTI): In a reshuffle of heads of Raj Bhawans in three states, Goa Governor SC Jamir was, on July 8, transferred as Governor of Maharashtra while Manipur governor SS Sidhu has been transferred to Goa. Seventy-six year-old Jamir, four-time Chief Minister of Nagaland, has been holding the additional charge of Maharashtra Governor since March this year. Sidhu, 79, a former Secretary General of International Civil Aviation Organisation, was also holding the additional charge of Meghalaya till July 1. Sidhu was an IAS officer of 1952 batch. [GT]

Book on Alexyz view on Goa
Alexyz says, “Never before in the history of Goa has our red earth been devastated so blatantly as it is being done by our present-day politicians and builders of all shades, so much so that it has affected not only the State’s topography but also its geography. Simultaneously, our moral fabric too is on a continuous downslide.”

Alexyz book "Goan, Goaing, Gone…? Cartoons Terse, Satirical Verse” depicts the traumatic and turbulent times that Goa is going through. It will be launched at the International Goan Convention 2008 in Toronto on July 24, and later on under the aegis of Goa Sudharop Inc at the International Community Centre at Milipitas, San Jose, California, on August 7, 2008.

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The whole world on their heads
Seated in front of 'Prestige Corner' at Margao's municipal market, a group of women dressed in the traditional Goan working women's kapodd await work. Their work involves carrying headloads for as title as two rupees. India's only known women head load-carriers, called the bhaddel and operating at Margao, are going strong in a sense... but yet struggling for survival. After peaking at about on 130 a decade ago, they are just around 30 in number today. The bhaddel invariably are women from the hardy Kunbi tribe, considered the aboriginals of Goa. [Lisa Monteiro, GT]

Wooden homes (from Canada) to dot Goa soon
MORMUGAO, July 4: Ramcon Wooden Homes has unveiled its range of wooden homes, which include studio homes, single bed-room villas and duplex bungalows. The wooden homes are made up of spruce-pine-fir, a kiln-dried white wood with little variation in colour. The specialty of the wood, imported from Canada, is that it is anti-termite and water resistant and can give a life span of over 100 years, according to Ramcom Director Bhavit Naik. [H]

'What will be left after they mine 80% of the village?'
PANAJI: A gold rush is on. And many virgin territories in Goa are facing a threat from iron ore mining. Even those holding leases which are over 50 years old - but had never been used for mining - are now queuing up for permission to start operations. Colomba village in Sanguem taluka leads the race - 23 new mining concessions seeking clearance. If okayed, they will cover up to 80 per cent of the village's total land area. Two older mines are currently in operation... In Quepem taluka, four leases are seeking clearance... adjacent to each other and are in the immediate vicinity of springs, temples and a government-run high school. [Paul Fernandes, TOI]

'Beware of land sharks in guise of educationists'
PANJIM: Land sharks in the name of establishing educational institutions in Goa are likely to grab vast tracks of land in the state and therefore Goa government have to be very careful in dealing with these neo-land grabbers, said MP Shantaram Naik at Canacona on Saturday at the inauguration of Girls Hostel at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. [GT]

Threat from within
Few are aware that Goa has almost 785 sq km, about 62 per cent, of forest cover and 20 per cent of the total land area of state is now legally protected by one national park and six wild life sanctuaries. Yet, tourists who come to Goa never see anything beyond the coastal cities and the silvery beaches. Goa, which is situated between the Sahyadris and the Arabian Sea has gained fame around the world as a tourist paradise because of the Sahyadris. The ecological abundance supported by the Sahyadris, its rich bio-diversity and sensitive geomorphology add to the uniqueness of the state. [Rajendra P Kerkar, TOI]

Lithunian tourists make a beeline for Goa
VILNIUS (Lithuania): Suddenly a lot of people from this tiny Baltic state of Lithuania want to visit India, the prime attraction for them being Goa, with its sun kissed beaches and promise of exotica. For six months starting in October, more than 3,000 Lithuanian tourists are expected to travel to Goa by chartered flights. [IANS, TOI]

Leopards on the prowl
SATTARI: Leopards are now on the prowl in Hivrem village in Sattari. The residents are fear-stricken as the animal has reportedly already killed over 20 dogs. [GT]

Nuvem, Raia residents up in arms
MARGAO: Around 200 villagers of Nuvem and Raia-Manora on Tuesday protested against illegal development of land without any authority or ownership and without necessary permission from the concerned authority. [NT]

Eduardo Faleiro to release Goykar a monthly magazine in Konkani
NT Network

PANAJI Goykar a Konkani monthly in Roman script will be released by Mr Eduardo Faleiro, commissioner of NRI, Government of Goa on July 14 at a special function at the conference hall, Secretariat, Porvorim. Mr Pundalik Naik, president, Goa Konkani Akademi and Mr Premanand Lottlikar, president, Dalgado Konknni Akademi will be the guests of honour. Mr Prabhakar Tendulkar, founder, Goykar will be a special invitee for the function. Goykar is edited by Mr Tomazinho Cardozo and published by Omor Prokaxon.

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Russia Warns Of Goa Alarm
7 Jul 2008, 0732 hrs IST, Preetu Nair,TNN
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3204591,prtpage-1.cms

Excerpt..
PANAJI: Alarmed by incidents of growing "racial intolerance" against their countrymen, the Russian consulate in Mumbai has threatened to issue a travel advisory to their citizens intending to visit Goa. In a letter to the state chief minister Digambar Kamat, the acting consul general of the Russian Federation in Mumbai Irina Bashkirova alleged that "Russian citizens were being assaulted on the basis of national or racial intolerance" in Goa and has requested the government to take "appropriate action".

Hinting that the Russian authorities might take a strict view of such incidents, the letter said that it may "initiate considering a possibility of preparing some recommendations or travel advisory for Russian tourists who want to visit Goa," as such incidents harm Goa's image in Russia.

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Food crops in need of boost in Salcete
by SHYAM ZAMBAULIKER

NT Network: MARGAO — Boosting cultivation of rice and other crops has suffered a setback in South Goa due to inadequate measures to motivate the farmers and lack of proper incentives to promote agriculture. A farmer from Fatorda said the government must ensure that the incentives reach the real farmers. “At present we don’t even produce half of the paddy once we used to produce. As a result local good quality rice, which was available in the open market for Rs 18 till some months back, is now being sold at Rs 24 per kg in Margao market.”

Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages located at each taluka headquarters are being computerised
But Registers at sub-offices in pathetic condition
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=071112
by RAMNATH RAIKAR

Principal Correspondent PANAJI — It is ironic that just as this year’s World Population Day celebrated on July 11 encourages activities, events and information which would help people to plan their families, especially for those who often have the hardest time getting the information and services they need, the Goan population faces tough time receiving documented information about birth, death and marriage.

In fact, the mutilated, yellowing pages of the large hard-covered registers dating back to 1914, at the taluka level sub-offices of the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages are unable to provide necessary information about the three important aspects of a human life making procurement of related certificates a harrowing experience.

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DeSouza, Isabella (Bella) (nee Pinto)

DeSouza, Isabella (Bella) (nee Pinto) passed away peacefully at Rockcliffe LTC Home (Leisureworld) on Monday, July 21, 2008 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 86 years. Predeceased by her loving husband, Gerald from Nakuru, Kenya. Mother of Hilda (Mark), Zelia (Alex) and Susan. Grandmother of Terry (Yvonne) Colin (Noella), Victoria (predeceased), Andrea, Peter, Kimberley and Jonathan. Great-Grandmother of Brayden and Payten.

Visitation will be at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home, 8911 Woodbine Avenue Markham (4 lights north of Hwy 7) 905-305-6128 on Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008 from 6-9pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 14 Highgate Dr., Markham on Thursday, July 24th at 9:30 am., followed by interment at Christ the King Cemetery, 7770 Steeles Ave. E. Markham (Steeles and Reesor Rd.).

+PEREIRA, Rev. Fr. Lawrence

In his 86th year, passed away peacefully on June 22, 2008 at Verdun General Hospital, Montreal. Predeceased by his beloved parents Cypriano and Clothilda (Fialho) and his brothers Dominic and Michael. Dear brother of Lucy Pereira (the late John), Teresa Vaz (the late Januario) and Josie Pereira (Adrianne) and brother-in-law of Pearl. Born in Goa, Fr. Lawrence was ordained a priest at the Papal Seminary in Kandy, Sri Lanka (Ceylon) on October 24, 1948. He was an assistant pastor at St. Kevin's Church in Montreal for over 25 years and hence will be sadly missed by his many parishioners and brother clergy. He was also a beloved nephew, uncle, cousin and friend to many. Funeral Mass took place at St. Kevin's Church on Thursday, June 26. Funeral Mass also place at Sts. Martha and Mary Parish on Saturday, June 28 followed by interment at Assumption Cemetery in Mississauga.

In Memoriam


DR. A.C. L. de SOUSA
1893 - 1958

See GOACOM BIOGRAPHY SERIES ~ OF HEROES
The Founder
http://www.goacom.com/culture/biographies/drsous.html

Also
DR. A.C. L. de SOUSA
THE FOUNDER OF THE "GOAN OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION"
AND A GREAT PROTAGONIST OF GOAN EDUCATION IN EAST AFRICA
http://www.goacom.com/culture/biographies/goanedu.html

Excerpt/-
On the morning of Thursday the 17th July, 1958, he died. But half an hour before his death, he enquired about the affairs of the Goans Overseas Association and the School, both these institutions which he had founded, and of which he was still the head. For 44 years he had worked for his people in this Colony, and indeed, as the Honourable N.S. Mangat, Q.C., M.L.C., expressed it - "even in death he looked magnificent..." the spontaneous manner in which Goans paid tribute to him both at his funeral and a t the Condolence Meeting showed that they would not forget the services he rendered and the irreparable loss they suffered by his death.

+DeSOUZA, Isabel

ISABEL DeSOUZA March 30, 1929 - July 17, 2008 It is with great sadness that we announce that Isabel passed away peacefully and comfortably in her home surrounded by her family. She is survived by her four children: Anthony (Kimlin), Ninette (Rudi), Vasco (Blossom), and Conrad (Eva). She also leaves behind twelve grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Joseph's Health Centre, Princess Margaret and Toronto Grace Hospitals. Visitation will be held at Scott Funeral Home, 420 Dundas St. East, Mississauga (one block west of Cawthra Rd.) 905-272-4040, on Saturday, July 19th from 4-6 and 7-9 p.m. and Sunday, July 20th from 4-6 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 480 Rathburn Rd. Etobicoke, on Monday, July 21st at 10:30 a.m. Burial to be at Assumption Cemetery, Mississauga. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Canadian Food for Children, Canadian Cancer Society or World Vision. – From Toronto Star

+PEREIRA, Joseph Michael

JOSEPH MICHAEL PEREIRA (Formerly of Karachi, Pakistan) Passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at the age of 66. Joseph is survived by his wife, Flaxy Elizabeth, and his sons Trevor (Sharon), and Reggie (Nisha). He will be sadly missed by his 3 loving grandchildren, Natalie, Julia, and Ajay. Joseph also leaves behind his sisters Joan and Rose, and dear brother Imran (aka: Tony). Friends will be received at Chapel Ridge Funeral Home, 8911 Woodbine Ave., Markham. 905-305-8508 (4 lights north of Hwy. 7) on Sunday, July 20th from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, July 21st at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick's Parish, 5563 Hwy. 7, Markham. Interment at Christ The King Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Don Bosco Home in Karachi, Pakistan. – From Toronto Star

"Goa: Aparanta – Land beyond the end”
See also: http://www.goaaparantabook.com/index.php

Amitabh Bachchan formally launched the book “Goa: Aparanta – Land beyond the end” , put together and published by Dattaraj “Raj” V. Salgaocar at a glittering function held at the water front lawns of Goa Marriott Resort, Panaji,Goa on May 13th,2008. “Parents need to be remembered generously because they are responsible for what we are today,” remarked Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan at the release

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Lakshmi Mittal tops UK's Richest Power list
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3197270,prtpage-1.cms
4 Jul, 2008,

LONDON: Money and power being "natural bedfellows" is not necessarily true in the British business world, except for steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal who figures right on the top of a new 'Richest Power List', compiled after combining two separate rankings of the most powerful and the most richest in the UK. Giving Mittal company on the new list, compiled by the Times newspaper, is another Indian-origin executive Arun Sarin, the world's top mobile firm Vodafone's outgoing CEO, who has made it to 24th in the combined list, even though he does not figure among the top 1,000 richest persons in the UK.

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Is music key to happiness?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3229559,prtpage-1.cms
14 Jul 2008, 0117 hrs IST,ANI

WELLINGTON: Humming tunes is known as a good stress buster. Now, a new research suggests that people who sing regularly are happier than their non-singing counterparts. In fact, choristers have a better quality of life than other people. The results of the study are based on a survey of more than 1,100 choral singers in Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The research found that while people who join singing groups tend to be less healthy than the average person, they are in fact happier. "They're actually much more satisfied with their health overall and their life in general than everyone else," stuff.co.nz quoted Don Stewart, head of public health at Griffith University in Queensland, as saying.

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Indian is Britain's youngest doctor
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-3226000,prtpage-1.cms
12 Jul 2008, 1405 hrs IST,PTI

LONDON: At the age of 22, Indian-origin Heenal Raichura has qualified to become Britain's youngest doctor and is all set to practice medicine. Daughter of Nalin and Shobhna Raichura, Heenal was accepted into university to study medicine in 2002 when she was 16. Six years later she has passed her degree and is all set to start work at University College London Hospital where she hopes to become a surgeon.

Heenal said: "It's quite a surreal feeling to actually, finally, become a doctor after six years of a degree. To finally come out at the end and say, 'I'm a doctor', my childhood dream, is an indescribable feeling.

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Date

Organization

Event

Links

Click for Details

TEGSA is off on a summer Holiday
We wish all members an eventful and safe summer with your family and friends
See you in September - Click for Events

Wednesday July 23,

&  Thursday July 24 at the University of Toronto, Mississauga.

 View Workshop Program

  Click for Convention Registration Form

Click for Contestant's Registration Form

“Goan Idol”- Thursday, July 24th evening contest in keeping with the traditional love of music that runs through the veins of all Goans. This is an opportunity for individuals to showcase their talents.

Please submit your entries at www.2008goanconvention.com/idol  

Click for Contestant's Registration Form

Only a limited number of entries in each category.

Super Hit Tiatro,

Friday, July 25th evening ,to be held at the distinguished Living Arts Center in Mississauga

Click for Flyer

The Convention Ball

Saturday, July 26th

Click to View Flyer

 Click for Reservation Form

‘High Blood Pressure May Cause Dementia’
Excerpt from Asian Age
http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/news/news-makers

High blood pressure has been linked to dementia by researchers. High blood pressure also doubles the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and increases risk of stroke, which damages the brain and can trigger dementia. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease and is linked to high blood pressure, high cholesterol or smoking. People with high blood pressure are up to 600 per cent more likely to develop dementia, according to new research released by Alzheimer’s Society here during Dementia Awareness Week.

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Ontario Called On To Improve Nursing Home Conditions
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20080708/
The Canadian Press

TORONTO — The Ontario government has to get serious about improving the disgraceful conditions in the province's nursing homes or elderly residents will continue to suffer needlessly and some may even die prematurely, a coalition of health-care unions said Tuesday.

In light of an investigation by The Canadian Press that found three-quarters of Ontario nursing homes have consistently failed to meet some of the 400 standards set out by the province, workers said it's time for the Liberals to bring in a minimum standard of care and boost funding. Sharleen Stewart, who represents nursing home support workers, said there will be more tragedies if the Liberals don't make this a top priority.

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Canadians concerned about giving retailers their personal information

OTTAWA, July 3 /CNW Telbec/ - More than half of Canadians say they are concerned about giving their personal information to retailers, according to the results of a survey commissioned by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. One in two Canadians (52 per cent) indicated they have resisted a retailer's request for personal information, such as telephone number or postal code, by asking why the information is needed. Close to half (45 per cent) have refused to provide this information altogether, and 13 per cent have deliberately provided incorrect information. Respondents who resisted or declined to provide their information indicated a number of concerns, including the safety of putting information online, identity theft and fraud.

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Six In Ten Aging Canadian Boomers Experienced Short Term Memory Loss In The Past Year
"Not all memory problems are Alzheimer's disease"

TORONTO, July 9 /CNW Telbec/ - Findings from a recent survey on Age Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI) showed that 6 in 10 (58%) aging Canadian boomers have experienced short-term memory loss over the past year, with 7 in 10 (68%) noting that they are very or somewhat concerned about this complaint. The survey on Age Associated Memory Impairment (AAMI) was conducted for the Alzheimer's Foundation for Caregiving in Canada by IPSOS in June among 1,390 adults between the ages of 40 and 60 and 349 Alzheimer's disease caregivers.

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Ontario, Canada Introduces Passport Alternative - Enhanced Driver's Licence and Photo ID Cards
http://www.findbiometrics.com/press-release/5179

TORONTO, - The Ontario government today introduced legislation that, if passed, will allow Ontarians to use an enhanced driver's licence
(http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/enhancedcards.htm) as an alternative to a passport when crossing Canada-U.S. borders by land and sea.

Starting June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will require all visitors to prove their citizenship at the border. With more than 92,000 cars and over 22,300 trucks carrying almost $650 million in goods crossing the Ontario-U.S. borders daily, the new card will ensure that those without a passport can cross the border using the enhanced card.

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Toronto Conference to illuminate the mystery of death

TORONTO, July 3 /CNW/ - Tyndale University College will host the 5th Biennial International Meaning Conference on July 24-27. The world's leading authorities on death and dying will be gathered in Toronto to tackle the biggest challenge facing us all: How to be prepared for the end of life's journey.

Death makes news, often unsettling news: Tim Russert suddenly died from heart attack. Canadian jazz great Jeff Healey died from cancer in prime age. Young men and women have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. School children were buried alive in China's recent earthquake. But death can also be close to home; it will sneak up on all of us sooner or later.

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